The Talking Machine Forum — For All Antique Phonographs & Recordings

Recently, a collector friend of mine gifted several machines to me, all of which need work. (He said that I, in my youth, would be much more apt to fix them than he would in his old age.)
The machines I got were a VV 240, a VV 210 (so bad that I stripped it for parts for the 240), some sort of cube-shaped, walnut Sonora, and a Stewart.

Here is my problem. The VV 240 needs some light veneer work done, which I can manage, but the entire back is falling apart. I am loath to remove the back piece because I don't know if it's structural or not. If anybody could answer that for me, I'd be much obliged. If it isn't structural, I will just pull it off and use it as a template to cut a new piece from similar plywood.

The Sonora is actually pretty good looking, just needs a few parts about which I am already speaking with George Vollema. In the future, however, I will be wanting to replace the legs. Also, I don't know what model it is - I don't have a picture, (EDIT: Added some crappy cell phone pics) but it is a walnut cube with nice double doors, nickeled hardware, and a double spring motor. There is scant record storage; a whole 2 shelves, located behind a flip-up door beneath the horn. I found the tag but there is no model information there, nor anywhere else.

Lastly, the Stewart needs new paint... It was originally wood-grained (I found out when I popped the tag off for sandblasting, which hasn't been done yet), but it has been overpainted with a ghastly, cream colored paint full of... chunks of something... Eugh. It's so gross. So yeah, it needs new paint, and then it also needs a tone arm and reproducer. Is it hard to find those? I didn't bother to ask Mr. Vollema because I can only afford so much at a time...

I have been looking at the VV 240 and it turns out that there is much more than light veneer work to be done. Several square feet of veneer throughout the machine have lifted, cracked, been torn away etc. and the glue joints in nearly the whole cabinet are loose. In light of this, what is the proper method for taking down the cabinet? I feel like I can take it apart without breaking anything since the glue is so weak in most places, but I don't know how exactly to do it. Do I use a soft mallet, or a prybar, or what? Should I just take it in to be professionally restored?

winsleydale wrote:I feel like I can take it apart without breaking anything since the glue is so weak in most places, but I don't know how exactly to do it. Do I use a soft mallet, or a prybar, or what? Should I just take it in to be professionally restored?

Winsleydale,

It sounds like you've got quite a project on your hands. I would avoid handing it over to a shop for two reasons:

- A VV240 won't ever be worth what a professional would need to charge you.
- By doing it yourself, you will develop the skills to do this yourself.

You will know when you are OK with fudging something versus putting in the extra hard work to make a certain detail just right. Even so-called professionals may deliver some pretty disappointing results for lots and lots of money. Since you collect phonographs, you already know more about what is needed than a general antique repairman/refinisher.

While I can't help you on specifics of disassembly, you do seem to have a good idea of what may be needed. A soft mallet is very useful and cheap, by the way. Maybe glue can be injected to firm up the joints without disassembly? My best advice is to take your time. It didn't get screwed up overnight, so allow yourself time to figure it out. Good luck and keep us posted.

Martin

For injecting the glue into the joints, go to a pharmacy and ask to purchase 5cc syringes with 20 gauge needles (or larger needle which would be a smaller number) to use to inject the glue in the joints. A smaller needle (25 gauge) can be used to inject liquid hide glue under small parts of veneer. Be sure to tell them why you want the syringes, otherwise they may assume another purpose and refuse the sale. Good luck!
Matt

I will note that for the future, but in this case, I think I want to take the whole thing apart for a few reasons: I will be able to better reach the corners and recesses of the cabinet, I will be able to assess and repair any structural damage (broken dowels, for instance), the entire back of the cabinet needs to be replaced anyways, and there is lifting veneer to fix inside the cabinet, which would be incredibly difficult to fix or replace without having the panels apart.

winsleydale wrote:
Lastly, the Stewart needs new paint... It was originally wood-grained (I found out when I popped the tag off for sandblasting, which hasn't been done yet), but it has been overpainted with a ghastly, cream colored paint full of... chunks of something... Eugh. It's so gross. So yeah, it needs new paint, and then it also needs a tone arm and reproducer. Is it hard to find those? I didn't bother to ask Mr. Vollema because I can only afford so much at a time...

It will be very hard to find an arm and reproducer for your Stewart, I've seen as many incomplete ones as I've seen complete. - the back elbow was in a position to knock against things and break and I bet that people used the arm as a handle to carry the machine around.

I have the tone arm for the Stewart, just need the elbow.